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Hello! I am wondering what should be the right attitude when facing with situations where you have to stand for yourself and defend your rights in this World. Is this also considered to be egoistic?
Hi Alexandra,
We exist in a reality we didn’t choose to be born into. The laws of nature which govern everything from how atoms bond with one another to what governmental leaders are chosen–all exist in this same “bubble”. Human beings, particularly in these later generations are more disconnected from this awareness and therefore we see a world that seemingly ruled by human intervention when certainly this is not the case. Our eyes see multiple forces and not one single force that governs all of reality.
Referring to your question, it sounds like it’s coming from a place where the source of a problem originates in a place other than that single governing force. According to Kabbalah, the approach is always from this perspective that any corruption in our world stems only from our disconnected perception of this single force, which then also points to the only solution–a remedied perception. Therefore, a kind of “forceful” change to the all kinds of “governing bodies” in our world–positions in office and lawmakers etc., is similar to cutting our a cancer without identifying the root cause and treating that instead.
Kabbalah teaches us that this approach is futile since anything that occurs in our world is a reflection of what is occurring in the upper worlds–the causal world, the world of forces. If we want to see a change in this world, we go to the root and change it from there. In this case, that would be the correcting the only corruption which is our disconnection of our sensation of the upper force which is the only reason we feel all kinds of pressures in this world, to push us to that understanding and make the correction at the root level.
So to answer your question, you could say it’s “egoistic” since with this approach we’re only concerned about making life in this world better as opposed to actually taking notice to what nature wants from us by giving us these pressures in the first place, but it might be more accurate to say that attitude or approach is “outdated”–meaning, that’s how our world progressed and developed egoistically, but now that the world is closer than ever to the recognition of the true evil, our egoistic nature, everything that’s happening is only in order to bring us to that awareness which means we need to act in the place nature wants us to act, in correcting our attitude towards one another and towards the upper force and not in the way we’ve been reacting until now.
Hope that helps!
Chris
Hello,
Can i ask how a bigger ego helps with your spiritual growth? And how is this in line with being humble? (For example in Micah 6:8)
Classic question, Anna.
Yes. Well, when we’re referring to a “bigger ego” it could mean a few things. It could be referring to the fact that the point in the heart is awakened because this is the start of the biggest desire. Sure, a person can have food, sex/family, shelter, money, power and knowledge all filled up, but if they still feel like they’re missing something–this indicates that the ego wants even more–the spiritual world.
It could also be referring to a more advanced stage where each spiritual degree reveals greater uncorrected desire. The battle to want to use this for our own sake is always present and these great desires are nothing compared to the desires we feel in corporeality.
Being humble might be interpreted as needing to “shrink” the desire so I “want less”, “eat less” etc., but developing our inner, spiritual reality requires us to expand and work above what is revealed to us–meaning to use what’s revealed with a completely different intention. Greater desire requires a greater Masach or “screen” to keep us from using the intention in order to receive.
Being humble most likely is referring to not being proud in front of the Creator–not to think that I can do something alone–without the Creator’s help, or that He and “some other force” exists in the world. It could also refer to lowering oneself, meaning to acquire greatness of the Creator instead of greatness of myself.
Thanks!
Second question
I know that circumcision is talking about cutting off our egoistic desires. The heart, why does Ezekiel 44:9 say Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in FLESH shall enter into my sanctuary, of any stranger that is among the children of Israel.
Why also the flesh? If that is just a tradition, it seems to be saying that the flesh is mandatory. Sorry for beating this in the head…😂
Im seeing now on kabbalah media that Bassar (flesh) is talking about Bahina dalet and desires ? Flesh, bones, skin etc…
Typically voting is something a person does to contribute to some change in society but as you know, Kabbalists understand that the only change comes in correcting how we connect and relate to one another–that’s one way of looking at it. Another way of looking at it is participating with society, doing the same as the nation–if the nation decided on an action then you, as part of that nation, would want to go along with the general.
“Choosing leaders” like you said is part of that, sure. No doubt there are different outcomes for different voting results and if you are inclined to believe one “leader” would have a greater influence on the unity of the nation, maybe this is how you should approach it.
Choosing leaders for the nation of “Israel” is not exactly relevant at the moment. One, because the nation of Israel is referring to those with a point in the heart, and two because this “nation” has not been established yet.
Hope that helps!
Chris
In the writings of Rabash and Baal HaSulam it says one progresses when engaging in Torah and Mitzvot, my question is how do you perform mitzvot if they are referencing the Jewish mitzvah like marriage, wearing tzitzit tefifilin etc?
My post below was initially a reply to one of the topics discussed here and I decided to give it it’s ‘own place’ as a new question :
” Chris, regarding your answer on the actual corporeal fulfilling of the Mitzvot in the Torah, you said that “This, in fact, was one of the reasons they initiated the physical customs – particularly because they wanted to keep the nation tied with some kind of thread to spirituality.” The problem is, that this fact caused for a GREAT DIVISION, not only between the Jews and non Jews but between the Jews themselves – the religious and secular. I am aware and totally understand that everything comes from HASHEM and so is this, but inside me I feel that the corporeal mitzvot DO HAVE an important meaning but they need to be perceived in a total different way , especially by The Jews . But this is impossible so long the majority of the Rabi’s do not start explaining\teaching\guiding differently, and they strictly hold to the ‘preciseness’ of performing these Mitzvot’ , so much so as dividing families, friends and even communities that have different perspective on the subject. On the other hand, there are millions of books written by our sages on matters of the Halacha , Gmara, Mishna , the views of Bait Shamay and Bait Hillel , all of them dwelling\discussing and interpreting the physical aspect of Torah and Mitzvot. This has a tremendous impact on all who study them and put in long hours in discussing every tiny detail of each one of the 613 mitzvot… If it is not needed this way anymore , then why the sages did not mentioned in these teachings that things will have to change as generations are passing ? If even one of the main and respected Rabis would rise today and start emphasizing what we learn here in Kabu, it would make a great change within the Jewish communities, religious or secular . At the same time, I have a bit of a difficulty with the fact that Kabu ignores some of the major Torah Laws (like regarding activities on SHABATH) because I am Jewish and hold these ‘customs’ very dear but also, it causes me for facing a conflict – weather I am going against my family and participating on SHABATh in Kabu events, or am I compromising and trying to be in both ‘words’ at the same time – and this too raises the question of selfishness – learning in KABU is a great pleasure for me so do I follow my passion without considering how it affects my family (they are not forcing me to do anything but I know that it will deeply hurt them) or do I consider them first and try to navigate my studies in such a way that it will not hurt them? And one more thing – our sages and past Kabbalists conducted their lives according to the laws in the Torah and we learned in Kabu that the student strives to be like the teacher…. My understanding is that so long we are living in this physical world , the mere fact that we are here in flesh and blood, means that we still have to pay attention also to the physical interpretation of the laws…. otherwise, why not having new interpretations taught in all the Yeshiva’s , adjusting to these new times by start ‘turning the tide’ and ease the burden of all the restrictions, if they are really not needed anymore. I know that Kabu is NOT and NOT TEACHING a religion , but all the said above is constantly on my mind , I just would like to make sense of everything. ”
I made some minor editions so please just ignore the initial post ( reply on one of Luke’s questions).
Hi Varda,
1. Why did the sages not mention in their teachings that things would have to change as generations pass if the physical aspect of Torah and Mitzvot is not needed this way anymore? It’s not that things “need to change”–we changed–and as a result our whole attitude to what is Torah and what are Mitzvot has completely shifted. Not that it’s “not needed”, but they are supplements to spiritual attainment.
2. If even one of the main and respected Rabbis would rise today and start emphasizing what we learn here in Kabu, would it make a great change within the Jewish communities, religious or secular? Well, yes, if their point in the hearts were awakened, but “no” if their hearts are still the same as they are today.
3. Why does Kabu ignore some of the major Torah Laws, like those regarding activities on Shabbat? Kabbalah today needs to be as open to as many people as possible. Those are things that would limit the interest of some or turn-off others. There’s no reason to, “put an obstacle before a blind man”
4. Should I follow my passion for learning in Kabu without considering how it affects my family, or should I consider them first and try to navigate my studies in such a way that it will not hurt them? You should consider your family, certainly. Don’t do anything that directly harms others. We never suggest trying to “explain” Kabbalah to others since this will always typically fail if they have no awakened point in the heart. Same with family members. The best route is to do it in private, as much as you can, shield it from them, and let them see that you’re happier and more peaceful. There shouldn’t be any evidence of connecting negative behavior with the study of Kabbalah.
5. Why are there no new interpretations taught in all the Yeshivas, adjusting to these new times by easing the burden of all the restrictions if they are really not needed anymore? Kabbalah works only with those who’s point in the heart awakens. When those individuals feel it, they will find it.
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